DENVER – Seats on the Lincoln County Board of Education are partisan for the first time this election cycle, meaning Denver’s District 5 representation on the board will be decided among three Republican candidates May 17 without a Democrat in the running. Two Republicans square off in District 2 for the opportunity to oppose Democrat Linda Wolfe in November, while the at-large seat up for grabs features a race in both party primaries.
District 5
Krista Heavner
I am a native of North Carolina and attended Burke County Public Schools. I attended UNC-Chapel Hill for undergraduate and also received my master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
My husband and I relocated back to the area and have lived in Denver for 15 years. We have two children in Lincoln County schools, one in middle school and one in high school, and they have attended LCS since kindergarten.
I am running for this office because I have children in Lincoln County schools and I believe in parent involvement in a child’s education. Parents have a right to know as much as possible and their involvement and input should be encouraged at all levels.
I have over 20 years of experience in and around education, specifically special education. I worked for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction for six years as a consultant for the deaf and hard of hearing. My main role was to evaluate programming and help administrators, related service providers, and teachers develop education plans to close learning gaps for children with hearing loss so they could graduate. As a result of that experience, I understand the challenges and limitations that school systems face and want to be a part of helping our system allocate and use resources wisely and effectively.
Because we have lived in the area for over 15 years, my husband and I are both involved in our church and community. I serve on the Sally’s YMCA Board of Managers and volunteer in children’s ministry at Grace Covenant East Lincoln.
I am a perfect fit for this role because I have children in our public schools, I understand special education laws and I talk to and listen to people who serve in various roles in LCS across our large county. I have years of experience helping educators make difficult decisions on how to best help students given the budgetary and time constraints placed on them.
Martin Oakes
Key Issues: What is being taught? Why are parents leaving the school system for other options? Are parents’ rights being ignored or violated?
I’m fully retired and expecting to spend several months monitoring a variety of classrooms, as well as talking to parents who have taken their kids from public school. Once I know the facts, a plan can be made.
As a business analyst and former county commissioner, I know how to find money buried in budgets. Every four years the budget should start from zero and worthwhile programs added, instead of merely asking for a percentage increase in funding.
The school system should adopt a “Parents’ Bill of Rights,” similar to the one on my website (electionmartinoakes.com). A 15-year slow decline in enrollment in a growing county means the system is not delivering for its customers (parents) and it’s clear that a significant re-tooling needs to take place.
Social promotion, social emotional learning (in math!), discipline (lack thereof), bullying and poor coursework are all things that I hear about. My five grand-daughters locally attend both public and home-schools, so I see the contrast. For more go to electmartinoakes.com.
Matt Brown
Brown did not respond to multiple requests for information.
At-Large, Democrat
Keith Poston
I was born and raised in Lincoln County, attending Lincolnton High School and then Wingate University. I’m currently serving on the local boards of; Outside Chance Mentorship, YMCA, Gaston Community Action and Communities in School (chair).
My priorities are excellence in education through utmost support for students, teachers and administrators. As well as equality of educational opportunity for all students of all backgrounds. I believe we must be deliberate about working with state legislators about specific funding needs including staff development, pay for personnel, supplies and materials.
Also, with local funding to assist with supplements for eligible staff, retaining teachers and adding additional teachers to reduce class sizes, as well as nurses and school workers – whatever personnel is most needed. To tackle these issues, we must work closely with the County Commissioners and be very specific about funding needs.
I would be best suited for this role because of my vested interest in the school system. I have children in the school system and I want to see them as well as ALL students thrive and be afforded the opportunity for advanced skills training.
I will work with all board members to increase support for classroom supplies and equipment and to include technology for both teachers and students. I will carefully consider the feedback from classified staff to help create the best possible work environment and work with the local government to ensure staff have the tools and supplies needed to do their jobs well.
Joan Avery
I’m Joan Avery and I was born and raised in Lincoln County, graduating from Lincolnton High School before attending Gaston College and eventually Lenoir-Rhyne University, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education.
I’m a retired educator with 33 years of service in Lincoln County schools. Both of my children attended Lincoln County schools and graduated from Lincolnton High School. My daughter is now a kindergarten teacher at Love Memorial.
I am the only educator/teacher currently serving on the Lincoln County Board of Education. I truly know what our school family is and has experienced.
If elected, my areas of focus include funding for music and art programs from elementary through high school. These programs develop creativity, improve memory and concentration, enhance listening skills, develop critical thinking skills and improve focus and discipline.
We need more teachers to serve the county in all areas, as well as materials supplemented to each of these classrooms. Our greatest needs at present are Science, Math, Language Arts and English as a Second Language teachers.
School resource officers and metal detectors are needed at all schools from elementary through high school.
Due to the rising population in eastern Lincoln County, our schools are overflowing. It is clear that we need to build another elementary school in that area. If that can’t happen, we may need more administrative staff (assistant principals) to help with an elementary school capacity of more than 600 students.
I want to continue to show our students, parents, teachers and all staff that I am here for you. Each decision I make should be what is best for each of them and not my own personal agenda. I am elected by you to serve you and I will continue to listen to your concerns and be a voice for you all.
At-Large, Republican
Neither Tony Jenkins nor Todd Wulfhorst responded to multiple requests for information.
District 2
Kaila Clippard
I am a wife and mother to a seven-year-old little girl. I have a 13-year background in banking, finance, and project management, all of which could easily translate over to the Board of Education administrative responsibilities.
My husband Chris and I now own and operate a local fencing company out of Lincolnton. I’m very involved in my church and enjoy pouring into and encouraging others. The Lord has placed it on my heart to run because your children matter!
I will stand as a shield for our children against government overreach. I want to ensure inappropriate social agendas such as critical race theory and gender identity remain out of the classroom. Our children need to have the opportunity to be just that, children. I believe the focus should return to reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Nationwide our public education performance is mediocre. Over the past 20 years, North Carolina public education went from being ranked 12th to 36th in the nation. I will work diligently to ensure the children, parents and teachers have the necessary resources in place to ensure a quality education for our future generation.
I believe children were given by God to their parents for a reason, and when it comes to any decision, they should have the right to choose what’s best for their family. Whether that be school choice, masking, vaccinations or sex educatioin. The parent needs to be able to decide what’s best.
I feel mental health for both the children and teachers is important. I would like to encourage programs which help combat bullying and educate children on their self-worth. Our children need to know they are valued and have purpose.
Fred Jarrett
I value education and believe in the ideals of community service. I understand the social, ethical and economic impacts of education to our community and the competitive advantage that a quality education provides.
Four generations of my family have been educated and positively influenced by Lincoln County Schools and as a lifelong resident my personal experience is no different. I believe the long-term vision of a school board should be to provide leadership and set the direction to help all students reach their full potential.
I graduated from Lincolnton High School before earning my bachelor’s degree in Science Teaching – Chemistry from UNC-Chapel Hill and my master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from Winthrop University. I’m retired from a career in Duke Energy’s Nuclear Electrical Generation Department.
I chair the Lincoln County Local Emergency Planning Committee and previously served as chairperson for the United Way of Lincoln County, Lincolnton Downtown Steering Committee and Lincoln County Republican Party. I’m a member of the N.C. Judicial Standards Commission, a volunteer fireman and assistant chief with the Lincolnton Fire Department and have served as a substitute teacher in Lincoln County schools.
My qualifications include two terms on the Lincoln County Board of Education, serving as board chairman, vice-chair and chair of the finance committee. Accomplishments from that time include the addition of five new schools and renovations at five others.
My priorities include increasing the learning outcomes for all students, keeping the community updated on what’s happening in our schools and developing procedures to measure the effectiveness of the school board as well as the leaders in our central office and schools. I’m also focused on recruitment and retention of adequate personnel and securing funding to better assist our staff.
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